Plenty of weapons at LHS

That's certainly a familiar connection with the Leominster High football team, but the Blue Devils are a whole lot more than just DelleChiaie an O'Connor on offense.

Leominster second-year coach Dave Palazzi has said all season long his offense is loaded with weapons, and the Blue Devils are showcasing that firepower, especially over the last month of the season.

While DelleChiaie is still hooking up with O'Connor in the passing game, the senior quarterback isn't shy about finding tight end Jarell Addo and wide receiver Jake Allain to make this offense even more difficult to defend.

"Jake Allain and Jarell Addo have definitely stepped up huge in the passing game in the last couple of weeks," said DelleChiaie after Thursday's practice at Doyle Field in preparation for Saturday's Central Mass. Division 1 Super Bowl game against St. John's of Shrewsbury at Fitchburg State University. "They make it easier for Neil and easier for me, and really make it easier for the whole team. Everyone is going to key in on Neil -- that's a given -- but that gives other guys an opportunity to step up."

Both Addo and Allain have delivered for the Blue Devils, especially down the stretch where the offense has averaged 33 points per game over the last four.

Advertisement

Allain, the small 5-foot-8, 160 pound junior wideout, has a knack for finding open space in zone coverage but also is fast enough to run right past the secondary to spark the Blue Devils with explosive plays.

Addo, meanwhile, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior, is a big target with good hands who knows how to find the end zone. The tight end has scored a receiving touchdown in four straight games, including a two-touchdown performance at Marlboro on Nov. 9.

With each and every game, DelleChiaie's confidence in both Allain and Addo has grown.

"I always knew they were good athletes and were going to make the plays," DelleChiaie said. "At the beginning of the season I was keying in on Neil a lot and that's why I had a lot of interceptions at the beginning of the year. I watched film and realized that it's not only Neil out there and I know these guys are going to make plays if I put the ball up there, and that's what they've been doing.

"They make my job a lot easier."

Because Leominster has so many weapons, the pass-catchers all understand their number won't be called on every play. But they also know when they're called upon, they better make the plays to move the chains or put points on the board.

"I've just been practicing all year and I wasn't complaining or nothing with (Garrett) throwing the ball to Neil because Neil is the most clutch player on the team," Addo said. "I trust the ball in his hands at all times. I'm just running my routes 100 percent every single time and if he finds me, I told Garrett that I'm going to make the play for him."

In the red zone, however, is when Addo hopes to see the football spiral in his direction.

"I start thinking that they're going to call my play," said Addo, a recent touchdown machine. "I'm thinking end zone the whole time and trying to beat my defender, try to lull him to sleep and then hit him with a cut and get to the end zone."

Allain simply knows how to surprise opposing defenses. He's done it time and time again.

"They're all keying in on Neil after some sick plays that he's made all year, but I'm catching them off guard, running the right routes, faking them out and making key blocks," Allain said.

DelleChiaie has been impressed with the way his offense has become a well-oiled machine.

"This last month, I kind of feel like they're invincible," said DelleChiaie, who has also incorporated running backs James Gurley and Mayson Williams into the passing game.

And none of this would be possible if not for the tremendous job of the offensive line, which features Lucas and Brian deHorsey, Shane Fallon, Nick Cordio, David Knight and Addo.

"They've worked their (butt) off," said DelleChiaie about his O-line. "I don't even know how they're still alive at this point. Our offensive line coaches have been ripping their heads off all year. They're all working hard, and they stick with it every day."

And now, this offense is on a roll with weapons everywhere.

"It's been phenomenal," Allain said. "We've just been coming through. Our running game is clicking and our passing game has been very much on point."

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sentinel and Enterprise. So keep it civil.